Glossary of Terms

Applied techniques those techniques requiring a tool in applying the media to a surface.

Base coat also called ground coat. The layer(s) of undiluted opaque paint applied to a primed surface, directly preceding the decorative finish

Faux a French term loosely defined as a simulation of a real substance. Simulating wood is called faux bois and simulating marble is faux marbre.

Glaze, oil / water a paint or mixture of products, more or less strongly colored, that is sufficiently transparent for the paint layer beneath to show through. Traditionally oil based, it had a strong odor - recent developments by Italian Masters have seen the introduction of waterbased glazes with no odor

Glazing the process of applying a translucent medium, either oil or water-based, to all or a part of a surface, creating unlimited visual effects.

Gold and Metal leaf gold, silver brass, copper and aluminum beaten into thin, square sheets, with gold being the thinnest and most fragile. Gold can be alloyed with silver and/or copper to produce different colors.

Graining also called faux bois, is a decorative painting technique used to simulate woods.

Media - the liquids in which pigment are suspended and which holds them to the surface.

Mineral spirits the best grade of paint thinner, now made obsolete by the introduction of safer and more environmentally friendly waterbased finishes

Paint pigments dispersed in liquid media that bond to a surface.

Pigments insoluble powders that are suspended in liquid to make a paint or glaze medium. Pigments can be organic (from animal or vegetable sources) or inorganic (from mineral sources). They give a medium opacity and color.

Preparation the process of making ready the substrate for the initial layer of finish or primer. Involves cleaning, sanding, filling cracks and nail holes. Is almost always required on new surfaces as well as previously finished or painted surfaces to ensure a quality and long lasting result .

Primer also called sealer or undercoater, it is the first media applied to a surface to reduce absorbency and to ensure adhesion of subsequent coats.

Reglazes - applications of succeeding layers of glaze over an original layer.

Solvents liquids used in media to adjust consistency and evaporate after application, often flammable and now used less due to the arrival of waterbased finishes.

Strie techniques for creating subtle though dramatic stripe and plaid effects. Involves pulling a tool vertically through a wet glaze to create linear patterns.

Substrate the initial surface to which finishes are applied. Includes sheetrock, wood, masonite, plaster, stone, brick, metal, resin, and various wall textures.

Trompe-l'oeil a French term meaning deceive the eye. Techniques in which an illusion of depth is created by emphasizing highlights and shadows as if an element is seen under a defined light source.

Walking a glaze a technique of bouncing cheesecloth into wet glaze and then bouncing it back and forth across a still-wet area to equalize the amount of glaze on an entire area.

Wet edge place where one section of glaze meets a still-wet, previously applied area so that no seam is visible after the glaze is manipulated. More easy to achieve with Italian Masters new waterbased glaze than with previous oil based glazes.